Friday 16 September 2005 19.14 EDT
First published on Friday 16 September 2005 19.14 EDT

"Winning the Guardian prize is a wonderful reward for any writer. It is such a distinguished award," said the children's laureate Jacqueline Wilson at this year's Hay festival. "All authors want to know what other authors think of their books and they also like to know what children like, too."

Wilson is both a previous winner and judge of the prize, which was set up in 1967 as the only children's book award made to writers by their fellow authors. She made her comments as she launched the 2005 Young Critics Competition with Melvin Burgess; although the formal judging is still by authors, a new initiative to encourage young critics has taken the longlisted books into schools and homes around the country. So while this year's judges (Jan Mark, Meg Rosoff and Chris Riddell) deliberated on the four books they felt should go forward to the next stage, we have had plenty of feedback from the readers for whom the books were written in the first place: children. We have included some of their comments on the shortlisted books.

The shortlist

The Merrybegot by Julie Hearn (Oxford, £5.99) Age: 10+

Set against a background of piskies and "natural magic", Julie Hearn's atmospheric historical novel contrasts the simple, unfettered life of country folk in the 17th century with the well-documented harsh rigidity of the church at that time. Nell and her grandmother practise the old arts; they are skilled in healing with natural remedies. Always blamed when things go wrong, the two find suspicion falling upon them when the minister's daughter tries to hide her pregnancy. Nell is in serious danger, but help comes from a most unexpected quarter.Children's verdict: "This truly superb novel will have your heart racing, your hands sweating and your brain whirring. You must read it."

The Boy in the Burning House by Tim Wynne-Jones (Usborne, £4.99) Age: 10+

When Jim's father dies, it takes Jim time to piece his life back together. The last thing he needs is advice from Ruth Rose, the interfering stepdaughter of the local preacher. Ruth has a lot of wild theories which Jim wants to dismiss as make-believe. But are they? Jim and Ruth gradually uncover the truth in this pacy thriller which reveals dark secrets that need to be exposed.Children's verdict: "This spooky and exciting book is hard to put down because of the thrilling storyline and great vocabulary the author has used."

The Hunted by Alex Shearer (Macmillan, £4.99) Age: 11+

Tarrin is one of very few children in a world in which people just get older and older, having traded fertility for longevity. With no children of their own, the closest most people get to being a parent is to rent a child - such as Tarrin - for an hour or more. Tarrin knows he is valuable, and is always on the watch for the "kiddernappers". But there's an even greater threat - the dreaded "Peter Pan" operation. Tarrin has to avoid all these dangers in a scary and thoughtful story about the real value of being young.Children's verdict: "Shearer keeps you turning the pages so fast they'll start smoking, with his exceptional description and superior imagination. He will compel you with suspense, daring, cheek and mystery. And that's just the first page!"

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson (Doubleday, £10.99) Age: 11+

Something has gone wrong in Kinvara; time seems to be going faster and faster. JJ's mother asks him to give her time for her birthday. A ridiculous request, but JJ sets off to Tir na n'Og, the land of eternal youth, to try to track down some spare time. But there's trouble in Tir na n'Og, too. JJ has to unravel the link between these two mysteries - and get back to his own world. A story full of surprises, magic and a delicately balanced internal logic.Children's verdict: "It's a story you have to force yourself to put down. Kate Thompson develops suspense and imaginative pictures in your head with the plot carefully unfolding, revealing a bundle of new and strange characters."

· The winner of the prize will be announced on October 1 2005.

· More of the children's comments will appear in Education Guardian on October 4.